Musical notation can be puzzling, and you as a cellist will be expected to know what the hieroglyphics mean. Rarely do you learn all you need to know about notation in lessons or theory class, so no wonder there is confusion in this realm-- even among professionals!

​Recently, one of my students asked about slashes across a note stem. She came across these markings in her orchestra music and couldn't remember what to do.

I told her, of course, but then realized this would be an excellent topic to clarify in a video!

Of course, more questions about notation erupted and I thought we might be in need of a whole series about notation.

So, here is the first installment of Cellist's Guide to Notation!

Can you clarify the examples below, knowing what you know now about this notation?

EXAMPLE A:

EXAMPLE B:

EXAMPLE C:

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​Explain the markings in each example above in the comments section below and if you are correct, I will enter you in a drawing for a free Celli T-shirt!